New Behavior is Troublsome

I had a dog once that was similur to Hollywood. Rain was kept outside in a kennel, and was never allowed in the breeders house. I got her when she was 1 year old. We kept her for six months before we returned her to the breeder. She was so scared of being in the house, of my husband, the kids, ceiling fan, ect... she would just sit in a corner, behind the couch, or in her crate. It took her a while, but she did refuse t eat and drink for several days. The only time she was happy was when she was outside with my other dogs, since that was pretty much all she knew from the breeder. I did return her and it broke my heart, but I just couldnt get through to her. When we pulled up to the breeders she was a different dog! She was running and jumping, and licking all over the breeder. That was a side of her I never got to see at my house. So while I felt like a total failure for returning her, I will never forget her joy at returning to her home. The breeder desided to keep her since she was obviously a 1 person dog.

Hopefully you can work things out with Hollywood it is so heartbreaking when they are sad.
 
I hope I'm wrong. Time will tell. However, I still don't think it would hurt to get a second opinion. What's the worse that could happen?

Also, you said he ate in his kennel. By kennel do you mean crate? Is his crate located outside or inside?

I considered feeding Smudge raw at one time. I was told I would have to feed him outside if I was going to go that route. I was not prepared to stand outside in below freezing temperatures, sweltering heat, pouring rain, ect. If his crate is outside you need to take that into consideration as well.

I hope he starts eating soon. :smile2: I don't like it when dogs aren't feeling well!
 
I think we're all dying to know how Hollywood is doing today?! Excellent advice on canine depression, give all that a try :wink2: However, it is also crucial to rule out any medical issues immediately. :cool:
 
What great news to read this morning that he has eaten. I think you have gotten good advice here and I think Caro is right on with her take on it being a depression. Keep us posted.
 
When my DS rescued her Bear the Big Red Dog, he was depressed for nearly a month -- just lifeless and listless. Once he snapped out of it, he was the most amazing boy ever!!!
 
Ya'lls dedication brings tears to my eyes!!! I think we are finally taking baby steps...after last night...and I must stress the BABY part lol. He has been checked out by two vets in the last week and both have came up with nothing. Urine test, blood test, temperature, everything looks normal. No parasites or bacteria. Oh when I said kennel I mean crate. We have one of those Pet Gear "the other door" crates that has the big door that opens like a garage door that we leave open in the living room for him (though he prefers his spot on the couch). When I got home yesterday my hubby informed me that he put his whole food tray (its a wooden stand with holes for the bowls to sit in...harder to dump over for my three year old!) So he put it in front of the crate and picked Hollywood up and set him on the floor about a foot away from the food and he said he ran over end emptied the food and water! They were out walking when I got home. The three of us spent about an hour just walking around the complex with him.

After that once we settled on the couch to watch TV I had an idea. He doesn't come to us for attention so I brought him to me. I had a blanket and towel laid out over me and I had my husband put him on my lap and I used his comb and just brushed lightly for well over an hour. My husband likes to rub on his ears because they are so soft lol and we discovered that it will almost put Hollywood to sleep when he does it. He eventually laid his head down in my lap while we petted and brushed until time for bed. Here is a picture.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46456413@N07/4272524211/

And thats not all! Usually when we put him on the bed he lays on his blanket at the foot of the bed and stays there. Last night he stood up and came just close enough for me to rub him head so I did for a few seconds and stopped. He inched a little closer and I would pet for a few seconds and then stop. We repeated this until he was right next to me and he eventually curled up against my legs. I woke up at one point in the night and he was right next to me with his head on my side. I dunno if the bonding on the couch helped but its definitely more than he usually does. :yes: He still has not ventured around the house, but we are reversing our method now, whereas before we were just giving him space to come around when he was ready, now we are giving him lots of encouragement and kind of lavishing attention and it seems to be helping a little. What do you guys think?

Oh and thanks Caro for the depression info...I was afraid of that. I know that dogs and people do not function exactly the same, but as a fourth year psych major to me he seemed to be showing some of the same signs that humans would (apart from urinating on himself I hope lol). I am going to get my husband today on the ball finding him someone to play with. We are hoping that seeing us give attention to a dog who wants it will make him want it as well!
 
Sounds like you are doing a great job and really trying! You're doing a wonderful thing for him.

He looks so relaxed on your lap.

It sounds like he really is starting to come around and beginning to trust you.

Continue to keep us updated. I'm hoping this guy has a great success story.
 
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Wonderful news about Hollywood! It sounds like you made giant strides last night, Pipersmommy. He is starting to figure out that you are "his" human. It's encouraging, but will still take more time and patience. Keep up what you're doing...it's clearly working. Lots of attention, praise etc. The couch grooming was a great idea.

As Caro said, dogs DO suffer from depression and it can be exhibited in several ways. Think about what has happened in this guy's life. He's been taken away from the only existence he's ever known -- with other dogs, outside, in a crate -- we'd be a bit backed off too. You're doing a great job and at the end of this I'll bet you are going to have a wonderful, loving companion.
 
So glad to hear that Hollywood is doing better!

Shelties are notoriously sensitive dogs and it sounds like coming to live with you has been a huge shock to his system. I think given a lot of patience and time, he'll come around eventually.

Milo was my family's first sheltie. We got him when I was in college. He is very attached to my whole family and doesn't like us to be seperated. If someone isn't home, he watches for your return.

When most of us went on vacation without Milo, he went into mourning. He got depressed, ate and drank very little and kept us awake all night barking (Once my family left him with me, once he was left with my mother). He just about drove us insane.

Since I did his training he has a special bond with me, but he still became very depressed when my family went away and left him with my husband and I for a few days. He moped around, wouldn't eat and constantly looked out the door for them.

If for some reason Milo was staying with us forever, I have no doubt that he would have come around eventually, but it probably would have taken weeks or months.
 
YAY, WOO HOO, Pippers mommy, SO, so glad to hear this good news today. Keep up the good work with this precious little furbaby and he will be just fine!:yes: (((hugs)))
 
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